This past week Norma Jean and I were reading from the book of Revelation about the 7 churches of Asia. Each address begins with the Lord saying, “I know your works.”
He knew the works of each, individual church. Ephesus. Smyrna. Pergamos. Thyatira. Sardis. Philadelphia. And Laodicea. Oh, and you can add one more to that list. The church where you’re a member. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Today church buildings around the country, and I suppose around the world, will be filled with worshipers wearing masks.
If you think it looks odd, you ought to be the one preaching from the pulpit and look at an entire assembly of masked men and women.
There’s been much controversy, especially among Christians and religious conservatives, about wearing masks. The efficacy of wearing masks has been discussed, debated, denied and of course, politicized.
To all Christians, we offer this spiritual advice: “No masks.” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
WordPress tells me that today’s post is a major milestone. It’s #2500. Somehow it seems fitting that it fell on a Sunday.
We began ThePreachersWord on January 1, 2012, at ground zero. With no readers and no idea of writing 2500 posts, let alone its far-reaching impact. Today we have thousands of followers all across the United States and all around the world in over 200 countries and territories. Continue reading
Filed under Blogs, Sunday Seed Thoughts
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“Do you rush, push, shout, and become generally unpleasant on Sunday mornings? Asked blogger, author, and lecturer Karen Burton Mains.
“Do you complain about church?”
“Are you irregular in your attendance?”
“Are you over-conscientious about matters that are not really important?” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Shirley Walker, the mother of my good friend and preaching colleague, Ralph Walker, recently passed away.
Sister Walker was a wonderful Christian woman. A faithful wife. A devoted mother. And of course, a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. She was funny. And a joy to be with.
Ralph announced her passing, with these words. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Last night we set our clocks back one hour to begin the semi-annual debate about Daylight Savings Time. Some like it. Others loathe it.
One sage quipped, “Daylight saving time: Only the government would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it to the bottom, and have a longer blanket.”
However, regardless of the time zone we’re living in, we should be conscious of the stewardship of time. The Bible exhorts us to “redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16). The means, as the ESV renders it, “making the best use of the time.” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Today is “National I Care About You Day, according to the calendar of unusual and little known holidays.
Appropriately this day falls on a Sunday this year. And we’re reminded we gather to worship our God who cares.
The Old Testament prophet affirms “The Lord of hosts cares for his flock (Zech 10:3). And the New Testament encourages us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Pet. 5:7). Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Today, I’m worshiping with and preaching for the brethren in Cosby, Tennessee. We were here back in March when COVID-19 ramped up and they had to suspend their services, like so many other churches around the country.
So much has happened in the past 7 months that it seems almost surreal.
-Almost 8 million Americans have contracted COVID-19 and more than 39 million worldwide.
-Over 216,000 have died in the US, and more than 1.1 million people worldwide. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19, Sunday Seed Thoughts
The etymology of the word “worship is from the Middle English “worshipe” which means “respect or reverence paid to a divine being.” It is derived from the Old English “weorthscipe” which means to “ascribe worth.”
In that regard, Mike Cosper in Rhythms of Grace wrote, “To our imaginations, it’s probably strange (at the least) or gross (at the worst) to envision anyone perpetually exalting himself. “We live in a world full of bluster and bragging, where Nicki Minaj boasts “I’m the best,” LeBron James tattoos “Chosen 1” across his shoulders, and everyone from pastors to porn stars are self-celebrating on Twitter and Facebook. The idea that God would be associated with anything like that behavior is disconcerting. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Today we’re worshiping with Eastside church in Shelbyville, Tennessee, where I’ve been holding a weekend meeting.
This is the first time I’ve preached at Shelbyville. And the first time to meet most of these brethren. But we’ve bonded quickly. Even though COVID-19 restricts shaking hands or hugging and respecting the physical space of others, our interaction is based on something greater. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
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